Washable trash-can cover that is secured to the can by its handles

ABSTRACT

A washable flexible trash can cover includes a tear-resistant water repellent flexible washable material substantially circular in shape, including an elastic perimeter which thereby gathers the perimeter inwardly for snugly fitting the material over the open ends of trash cans of varying perimeters, and two slits provided on opposing ends of a diameter of the washable material through which trash can handles can pass and clamp down over the cover, securing the cover snugly to the cans while permitting normal access to the handles. The material can be made of non-toxic biodegradable cloth. The material can be made of tear-resistant nylon. The elastic perimeter preferably includes an elastic band attached to the material by folding the perimeter of said material over said band and sewing, gluing or adhering the folded over perimeter to the material. The material can be made from material that is non-toxic when incinerated. The material can be fabric impregnated with insecticide. The material can be fabric impregnated with insect repellant. The material can be reusable after washing. The cover can include retaining means.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to co-pending Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/821,984 filed Aug. 10, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates after market flexible trash can tops.

BACKGROUND

Trash cans are a regular, often unpleasant, part of daily life. Trash cans are typically sold with plastic lids which are not very flexible, and frequently get lost or damaged. The lids cannot be washed in a washing machine, or dried in a drier. Lids are not provided with insect repellant. The lids are not biodegradable. The lids are not easy to store. The lids are not made of material that is non-toxic when incinerated.

The following represents a list of known related art:

Date of Issue/ Reference: Issued to: Public.: US Pat 7051895 Toussant, et al. May 30, 2006 US Pat 7011228 Ordiway Mar. 14, 2006 US Pat 6585415 Malaspina Jul. 1, 2003 US Pat 6341713 Kilmer Jan. 29, 2002 US Pat 5709312 Lake Jan. 20, 1998 US Pat 5562229 Callahan Oct. 8, 1996 US Pat 5553733 Rosenthal Sep. 10, 1996 US Pat 5325986 Richardson, et al. Jul. 5, 1994 US Pat 5318821 Bradley, Jr. Jun. 7, 1994 US Pat 5305907 Richardson, et al. Apr. 26, 1994 US Pat 5165567 Richardson, et al. Nov. 24, 1992 US Pat 5033232 Vaughn Jul. 23, 1991 US Pat 4043368 Forte, Sr. Aug. 23, 1977 US Pat 3396885 Giondi Aug. 13, 1968 US Pat 3376995 Hunt Apr. 9, 1968 US Pat 3352449 Jackson Nov. 14, 1967 US Pat 2821230 May Jan. 28, 1958 US Pat 1421628 Watkins Jul. 4, 1922 US Pat 6988632 Hardy, et al. Jan. 24, 2006 US Pat 6921202 Raterman Jul. 26, 2005 US Pat 6598341 Weder Jul. 29, 2003 US Pat 6584704 March Jul. 1, 2003 US Pat 6508282 Garofalo, et al. Jan. 21, 2003 US Pat 6385905 Weder May 14, 2002 US Pat 6349845 Duncan Feb. 26, 2002 US Pat 6276551 Miller, II Aug. 21, 2001 US Pat 6164824 McGlew, et al. Dec. 26, 2000 US Pat 6145696 Duncan Nov. 14, 2000 US Pat 6108974 Herzog-Mesrobian, et al. Aug. 29, 2000 US Pat 6100514 Davis Aug. 8, 2000 US Pat 6062412 Jacobsmeyer, Jr. May 16, 2000 US Pat 6061836 Peters May 16, 2000 US Pat 6036047 Dobbie Mar. 14, 2000 US Pat 5989656 Soloman Nov. 23, 1999 US Pat 5924241 Hodge Jul. 20, 1999 US Pat 5915580 Melk Jun. 29, 1999 US Pat 5896698 Nurse Apr. 27, 1999 US Pat 5865407 Effa Feb. 2, 1999 US Pat 5687469 Weder Nov. 18, 1997 US Pat 5524384 Weder, et al. Jun. 11, 1996 US Pat 5356046 Burke Oct. 18, 1994 US Pat 5239775 Landau Aug. 31, 1993 US Pat 5195271 Bradley, Jr. Mar. 23, 1993 US Pat 5169025 Guo Dec. 8, 1992 US Pat 5083644 Collins, III Jan. 28, 1992 US Pat 5056679 Lonczak Oct. 15, 1991 US Pat 5026115 Barnes Jun. 25, 1991 US Pat 5010987 Evans Apr. 30, 1991 US Pat 4979548 Howard; III et al. Dec. 25, 1990 US Pat 4954384 Hartwell Sep. 4, 1990 US Pat 4947794 Baldwin Aug. 14, 1990 US Pat 4914860 Richardson Apr. 10, 1990 US Pat 4844286 Jacobson Jul. 4, 1989 US Pat 4822178 Taylor Apr. 18, 1989 US Pat 4782873 Messner, et al. Nov. 8, 1988 US Pat 4607674 Noble Aug. 26, 1986 US Pat 4601391 Gibbs, et al. Jul. 22, 1986 US Pat 4538385 Kandarian Sep. 3, 1985 US Pat 4514995 Curtis, et al. May 7, 1985 US Pat 4293015 McGough Oct. 6, 1981 US Pat 4246945 Sterling Jan. 27, 1981 US Pat 4216620 Weder, et al. Aug. 12, 1980 US Pat 4178977 Sur et al. Dec. 18, 1979 US Pat 4177847 Spindler Dec. 11, 1979 US Pat 3981340 Anderson, et al. Sep. 21, 1976 US Pat 3916967 Carlisle, et al. Nov. 4, 1975 US Pat 3915329 Zaks Oct. 28, 1975 US Pat 3862614 Kovac Jan. 28, 1975 US Pat 3727659 Shuford Apr. 17, 1973 US Pat 3507312 Petersen Apr. 21, 1970 US Pat 3168209 Brookins, et al. Feb. 2, 1965 US Pat 2432662 Gardner Dec. 16, 1947 US Pat 2209778 Krasowski Jul. 30, 1940 US Pat 2302259 Rothfuss Nov. 17, 1942 US Pat 2201779 Lathrop May 21, 1940 US Pat 2080108 Brandstein May 11, 1937 US Pat 1697751 Blake Jan. 1, 1929 US Pat 1520647 Hennegan Dec. 23, 1924 US Pat 1368864 Turner Feb. 15, 1921 US Pat 1237914 Kunath Aug. 21, 1917 US Des Pat D457936 Garofalo, et al. May 28, 2002 US Des Pat D429047 Hirtel Aug. 1, 2000 US Des Pat D421729 Sedora et al. Mar. 21, 2000 US Des Pat D522789 Kahn Jun. 13, 2006 US Des Pat D515765 Toronjo, III Feb. 21, 2006 US Des Pat D436035 Natke Jan. 9, 2001 US Des Pat D396772 Hanzok Aug. 11, 1998 US Pub 20040086205A1 Raterman May 6, 2004 US Pub 20030082320A1 Toussant, et al. May 1, 2003 US Pub 20030010415A1 Szuszkiewicz Jan. 16, 2003 US Pub 20050076980A1 Hamdan Apr. 17, 2005 US Pub 20030226846A1 Horwath Dec. 11, 2003

The teachings of each of the above-listed citations (which does not itself incorporate essential material by reference) are herein incorporated by reference. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.

Thus, while the foregoing body of art indicates it to be well known to have a trash can lid, the art described above does not teach or suggest a flexible, foldable, washable trash can lid which has the following combination of desirable features: (1) can be purchased after-market, sold separately from the trash can; (2) is foldable and flexible to store into a small space; (3) fits snugly around the trash can; (4) has slits through which trash can handles fit; (5) can be secured by folding trash can handles through slits and clamping down; (6) can be treated with insect repellant; (7) can be treated with insecticide; (8) can be biodegradable; (9) can be used to cover things besides trash can such as wheelbarrow full of leaves so that the leaves won't blow away; and (10) can be non-toxic when incinerated among others.

SUMMARY AND ADVANTAGES

A washable flexible trash can cover includes a tear-resistant water repellent flexible washable material substantially circular in shape including an elastic perimeter gathering said perimeter inwardly for snugly fitting said material to trash cans of varying perimeters, and two slits provided on opposing ends of a diameter of said washable material through which trash can handles can pass and clamp down over said cover, securing said cover snugly to said can. The material can be made of non-toxic biodegradable cloth. The material can be made of tear-resistant nylon. The elastic perimeter preferably includes an elastic band sewn to said material by folding the perimeter of said material over said band and sewing the folded over perimeter to said material. The material can be made from material that is non-toxic when incinerated. The material can be fabric-treated with insecticide. The material can be fabric treated with insect repellant. The material can be reusable after washing.

The washable flexible trash can top of the present invention presents numerous advantages, including: (1) can be purchased after-market, sold separately from the trash can; (2) is foldable and flexible to store into a small space; (3) “fits” snugly around the trash can; (4) has slits through which trash can handles fit; (5) can be secured by folding trash can handles through slits and clamping down; (6) can be treated with insect repellant; (7) can be treated with insecticide; (8) can be biodegradable; (9) can be used to cover things besides trash can such as wheelbarrow full of leaves so that the leaves won't blow away, and (10) can be non-toxic when incinerated. Additional advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Further benefits and advantages of the embodiments of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description given with reference to the accompanying drawings, which specify and show preferred embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles and implementations of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a washable flexible trash can cover.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a washable flexible trash can cover in use.

FIG. 3 shows a close up detail of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.

DETAILED-DESCRIPTION

Before beginning a detailed description of the subject invention, mention of the following is in order. When appropriate, like reference materials and characters are used to designate identical, corresponding, or similar components in differing figure drawings. The figure drawings associated with this disclosure typically are not drawn with dimensional accuracy to scale, i.e., such drawings have been drafted with a focus on clarity of viewing and understanding rather than dimensional accuracy.

In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of the implementations described herein are shown and described. It will, of course, be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made in order to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with application- and business-related constraints, and that these specific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from one developer to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, a washable flexible trash can cover 10 includes a tear-resistant water repellent flexible washable material 12 substantially circular in shape including an elastic perimeter 14 gathering said perimeter inwardly for snugly fitting said material 12 to trash cans C of varying perimeters, and two slits 16 provided on opposing ends of a diameter of said washable material 12 through which trash can handles H can pass and clamp down over said cover 10, securing said cover 10 snugly to said can C. The material 12 can be made of non-toxic biodegradable cloth. The material 12 can be made of tear-resistant nylon. The elastic perimeter 14 preferably includes an elastic band 18 sewn to said material 12 by folding the perimeter of said material over said band and sewing the folded over perimeter to said material. Elastic band 18 may also be attached using fabric adhesives as an alternative to sewn seams, with fabric adhesives including fabric glues, hem tape, and heat activated adhesive strips. The material 12 can be made from material that is non-toxic when incinerated. The material 12 can be fabric impregnated with insecticide. The material 12 can be fabric impregnated with insect repellant. The material 12 can be reusable after washing.

In the preferred embodiment, the cover 10 includes a waterproof material, washable and reusable, such as sport nylon for example, nylon or other strong thread, elastic, bias tape or other binding material, a sewing machine to sew it all together, Velcro™ type patch, button or snap. Alternatively, the cover 10 can be made of disposable material. The cover 10 is round, gathered gently with elastic around the outer edge for snug fit to the can C so water from rain cannot enter the can C. The handles H of the can C go through bound slits 16 on either side of the cover 10 and clamp down to keep the cover 10 from blowing away. All material is soft for safe handling by users and sanitation workers.

In operation, when the trash can C is full, pull gently on the perimeter 14 of the cover 10 and fit it over the can C top. Pull handles H of the can C through the slits 16 provided. Push handles H down against can sides to secure lid. When the can C is emptied by sanitation workers they can remove it easily and safely and just toss the cover 10 into the can C so it does not get lost. Optional retention means, such as a Velcro™ type patch, button, or snap (not shown) on one handle opening may be included to keep cover 10 attached to can C after cover 10 is removed from the open end of can C.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous modifications and changes may be made to the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. It will, of course, be understood that modifications of the invention, in its various aspects, will be apparent to those skilled in the art, some being apparent only after study, others being matters of routine mechanical, chemical and electronic design. No single feature, function or property of the preferred embodiment is essential. Other embodiments are possible, their specific designs depending upon the particular application. As such, the scope of the invention should not be limited by the particular embodiments herein described but should be defined only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. 

1. A washable flexible trash can cover, comprising: A tear-resistant water repellent flexible washable material substantially circular in shape, including an elastic perimeter which thereby gathers said perimeter inwardly for snugly fitting said material over the open ends of trash cans of varying perimeters; and Two slits provided on opposing ends of a diameter of said washable material through which trash can handles can pass and clamp down over said cover, securing said cover snugly to said cans while permitting normal access to said handles.
 2. The washable flexible trash can cover of claim 1, wherein said material is made of non-toxic biodegradable cloth.
 3. The washable flexible trash can cover of claim 1, wherein said material is made of tear-resistant nylon.
 4. The washable flexible trash can cover of claim 1, wherein said elastic perimeter comprises an elastic band sewn to said material by folding the perimeter of said material over said band and sewing the folded over perimeter to said material.
 5. The washable flexible trash can cover of claim 1, wherein said elastic perimeter comprises an elastic band encompassed within said material by folding the perimeter of said material over said band and connecting the folded over perimeter to said material with adhesive.
 6. The washable flexible trash can cover of claim 1, wherein said material is made from material that is nontoxic when incinerated.
 7. The washable flexible trash can cover of claim 1, wherein said material is fabric impregnated with insecticide
 8. The washable flexible trash can cover of claim 1, wherein said material is fabric impregnated with insect repellant.
 9. The washable flexible trash can cover of claim 1, wherein said material is reusable after washing.
 10. The washable flexible trash can cover of claim 1, wherein said cover further includes retention means for maintaining said flexible cover connected to a trash can after removing said cover from said trash can open end. 